Still Learning: 5 Things I'm Completely Clueless About

Almost two years ago, my brother picked me up from my church in Denver right after Sunday services to take me to the airport. I was about to fly to Utah to have my first interview with the church I now serve at. He asked me how I was feeling about the interview, and I said, "I feel very under-qualified for this job." He advised me jokingly that perhaps that wouldn't be the best thought to lead the interview with. But the fact is, in my eight years as a vocational youth pastor, I have always felt that way. Whenever I grow in an area and feel like I've got a handle on something, I realize that there are two or three other areas that I need to work on. I think that's a good thing. I've always had a tendency to rely on my own intelligence and abilities, and when I believe I've got it all together, I'm really just fooling myself and need a good dose of humility.

One of the things I think young youth workers have a tough time learning is that they can't do it all, and they can't be everything to everyone.  Probably the most important thing I've learned as a leader is that I need to find people who are good at what I'm not good at, rather than trying to be good at everything.

So, yes, I'm still learning. I hope I always will be, knowing that I'm simply a clay jar that is nothing apart from God. With that in mind, here are five things that I feel clueless about in youth ministry:

1) How to equip volunteer leaders to speak in front of a large group of teenagers.


2) How to have a student-led initiative that balances good mentoring from adult mentors and leadership from students.


3) How to equip and train leaders to be in charge of a significant part of the youth ministry.


4) How to make sure a large group of adult leaders all feel loved and connected--to me and to one another.


5) How to effectively equip parents to disciple their kids.


In what areas of youth ministry do you need to do a bit of learning?

Thanks for reading! Don't miss out; sign up to have posts delivered right to your inbox via FeedBurner: